Author Topic: SLS VAB Questions (Read 7630 times)

jadebenn · « **on:** 11/25/2019 02:23 am »

I have several questions about the configuration of the SLS work platforms in High Bay 3 that I can hope you all can shed some light on.

1. Is it true that the new work platforms can be jacked up and down the sides of the VAB walls without needing to be removed by crane? The existence of some vertical rails visible in some photographs suggests this is true, but I've only got an anecdotal account of this functionality from a single person.

2. How does NASA currently plan to configure the VAB for SLS Block 1B? I know the work platforms in High Bay 3 were installed with removable "cutouts" that should help speed along any reconfiguration, but doesn't that still leave the issue of the additional work platforms Block 1B will require?

3. This isn't so much an SLS question as a "how did they do this during Apollo" question, but I noticed that there were some "catwalks" leading to the work platforms (visible left and right of the center of this photo) installed as part of the High Bay 3 SLS conversion work. How was access to the Saturn V platforms accomplished? The closest thing I've been able to find is a small platform visible in the bottom left corner of this image, but what's confusing is that the platforms directly above it seem to lack one.

Vahe231991 · « **Reply #1 on:** 03/04/2023 03:35 am »

To answer the second question of the first post on this thread, since the SLS Block 1B variant configured for manned missions stands 364 feet, making it just one foot taller than the Saturn V, my guess is that the manner in which components for the SLS Block 1B crewed variant will be manufactured inside the VAB and stacked may end up being similar to that of the Saturn V. Also, the SLS Block 1B variant configured for cargo missions is slightly taller than the SLS Block 1, and because the VAB is over 500 feet high, it will be tall enough to accommodate the Block 1B and 2 variants.

AmigaClone · « **Reply #2 on:** 03/04/2023 04:16 am »

Quote from: Vahe231991 on 03/04/2023 03:35 am

To answer the second question of the first post on this thread, since the SLS Block 1B variant configured for manned missions stands 364 feet, making it just one foot taller than the Saturn V, my guess is that the manner in which components for the SLS Block 1B crewed variant will be manufactured inside the VAB and stacked may end up being similar to that of the Saturn V. Also, the SLS Block 1B variant configured for cargo missions is slightly taller than the SLS Block 1, and because the VAB is over 500 feet high, it will be tall enough to accommodate the Block 1B and 2 variants.

Granted, perhaps more important than the internal height of the VAB high bays is the height of the external doors leading to them at over 456 ft (139m) high.

Jim · « **Reply #3 on:** 03/04/2023 02:17 pm »

Apollo and shuttle platforms didn’t move up and down. So rolling catwalks we’re used

jadebenn · « **Reply #4 on:** 03/04/2023 03:21 pm »

Thanks for all the answers.

I've also since found out that the "catwalks" I mentioned in the original post are primarily intended for emergency egress: The elevator landings are the primary access. Though that does beg the question of how vertical adjustments can stay aligned with the elevator doors...

Jim · « **Reply #5 on:** 03/04/2023 05:35 pm »

Quote from: jadebenn on 03/04/2023 03:21 pm

Thanks for all the answers.

I've also since found out that the "catwalks" I mentioned in the original post are primarily intended for emergency egress: The elevator landings are the primary access. Though that does beg the question of how vertical adjustments can stay aligned with the elevator doors...

The platforms don’t move vertically

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #6 on:** 03/04/2023 08:24 pm »

Quote from: jadebenn on 03/04/2023 03:21 pm

Thanks for all the answers.

I've also since found out that the "catwalks" I mentioned in the original post are primarily intended for emergency egress: The elevator landings are the primary access. Though that does beg the question of how vertical adjustments can stay aligned with the elevator doors...

AFAIU,
The HB-3 work platforms and eventually the possibility of future HB-1 work platforms are semi-permanently fixed to tee plates one in each corner per side containing drilled holes with manually inserted pins and bolts. The VAB bridge cranes are used to manually raise/lower and add/remove platforms as necessary for high bay conversions from one SLS block to another or to another launcher. Each work platform is designed to handle a 10-12m diameter core stage like Ares-V. Custom platform plug inserts have been installed to downsize to the 8.4m SLS Core Stage and and 5ish meter ICPS. The originally intended movable platform function was shelved before fabrication during the change to the final design of SLS however the platforms could be modified to add the shelved technology. There are legacy NSF threads for the VAB work platform replacement project to multiuser platforms (by the user replacing the plug inserts and adjusting each platforms level with the cranes).